Recently, professional athletes have made their feelings known about the protests sweeping the country over grand jury decisions not to indict police officers for the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.
Four members of the St. Louis Rams ran on to the field with their hands up, indicating their solidarity with protestors advancing the myth that Michael Brown died while surrendering. NBA players Derrickk Rose and LeBron James both wore “I can’t breathe” T-shirts during warm ups before recent games.
Whether intended or not, the protests cast blame upon the police, and caused much anger in the ranks of officers.
Now, New York Representative Peter King is suggesting that pro sports teams wear a NYPD patch on their uniforms to honor the officers executed yesterday. In an email, King urged:
To honor the memory of the two NYPD officers who were assassinated yesterday and to demonstrate solidarity with the brave men and women of law enforcement, I urge college and professional basketball, football and hockey teams to wear NYPD insignia on their uniforms. This would bring honor and dignity to the NCAA, the NBA, the NFL and the NHL.
The players would almost certainly refuse to wear the patches. How could they when they’ve already sworn allegiance to protestors who are celebrating the death of the officers? Will there be any signs of solidarity with police at all?
The players have placed themselves in an impossible situation. They swear their protest was not directed against the police. But that’s exactly how the protestors viewed their actions. Changing their stance and wearing a NYPD patch on their uniforms would bring cries of hypocrisy from the activists who are fanning the flames of racial unrest.
My guess is that before NFL games today, there will be a moment of silence to honor the police officers. That will be the extent that the NFL sticks its neck out for the police.
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